Hi, Everyone! I’m finally back from the dissertation-/conference-/bacon-hangover-induced departure from blogging, and I’ve decided to catch up old-school. So, in the spirit of the blog’s past, here’s a quick round-up of some of the things we missed while I was away. Come on in to see and hear Wye Oak, Telekinesis, St. Vincent, and more!
Before beginning, I have to confess that I have been criminally negligent with Elisa Flynn’s 19th Century Songs. Elisa e-mailed me a rather long time ago to tell me about the album’s release on Bandcamp, and – despite my thorough enjoyment of the album – I always seemed to forget I had it when I sat down to throw together a post. And so, for that, I’m sorry!
But I am also sorry to you, reader, for keeping such an exciting recording all to myself! Here’s the scoop:
Elisa Flynn is a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn who writes songs that walk a fine line between beauty and danger. They treat on topics like the serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes, William Tecumseh Sherman, and a ship held fast in the ice. It’s an impressive collection of concepts and images that all, rather surprisingly, create a wonderfully immersive recording. Let’s have a look:
Continue reading “Mailbag: Elisa Flynn – 19th Century Songs”
Happy Fourth of July, everyone! I’ve been away for a bit (long story involving the car that went 280,002 miles and then stopped suddenly…), but now it’s time to come back and do this holiday thing right. I’ve put together some songs that feel uniquely American to me. Some are about the country, and some just sound American. You’ll see what I mean… (and don’t worry, there’s no Lynyrd Skynyrd or “Born in the U.S.A.”)
The gang over at Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls sent me over their recent cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy),” and I thought I’d pass it along to you. The band has some special reason to perform this cover, as it includes Jason Federici, son of E. Street Band member Danny Federici. It’s a great cover, and one of the songs that my Dad and I would definitely have listened to if he were here today. Follow me to have a listen, and download the track:
Continue reading “Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls Cover Springsteen”
Fax Holiday is the recording/performing name of Eric Schermerhorn (formerly of Mutt and Margin Walker), and it is also the name of a Boston-based indie/folk band containing Schermerhorn (vocals, guitars, autoharp), Ian Macleod (bass, vocals), Elizabeth Bollenberg (violin, harp), and Dana Diplacido (percussion). Importantly, it is also the name of one of my favorite bands of the last few months. Their new album – Rope & Wine – is a solid musical effort – combining indie-rock numbers like “Dropping Out” with more introspective, folk-inspired tunes like “Salt.” Regardless of presentation, each song feels as if it is rooted in something that is deeply personal – coming to the listener as if from a diary entry. It’s a combination that comes up a lot in these parts (you might be familiar with a similar formula as seen in the work of Galaxie 500), and produces an amazingly vibrant emotional tapestry.
Also, it rocks. Did I mention that it rocks?